raising you, pup (DisContinue)

chapter five

When she woke it was from Jacob’s rapid movements. He ruffled papers against his desk, opening, and closing cabinets periodically. He sat stretched forward, leaning over his desk, pencil tip pressed to his temple as he leaned on his elbows. Bags hung over his eyes. He looked tired, and she wasn’t surprised. The sun wasn’t up yet and she could hear him tossing around in his bed before she dozed off.

Layla tried to keep still. She didn’t want him to know she was awake. She was afraid that he might bring up what happened the other night when he got drunk and she made a run for it. But the burning sensation around her wrist began to make her fidget. The clanking of the metal bars against the handcuffs was loud in such a quiet room. And if definitely had Jacob looking in her direction. He studied her for a second before releasing a sigh and standing up. He approached her with a key dangling from his hand.

He made quick work of her restraints, just tossing it to the side carelessly. Jacob leaned back so he was sitting on the floor with her. Without a word, he tangled his index finger around a thick strand of her hair. He twirled it until it was tight around his finger, then let it bounce loose. “I’m having my men take you to the chair today, then the cages after that. Beginners advise..you might wanna do something with this hair before then.” As if to prove his point he moved to fist an entire chunk of her hair in his solid grip. She scrambled for purchase, grabbing at his wrist.

“Makes you an easy target.” The smile he gave her could barely be classified as such, but it was the most positive emotion she’s seen out of the man. Then again, it probably wasn’t sincere.

Jacob rose and grabbed her to trail along behind him. He paid little attention to how he was practically dragging her across the cement floor along to the bathroom. “Clean up, towels are in the bottom cabinet, I’ll bring you clothes later. And do something with your hair before I do.”

She let out a sigh of relief at finally being left alone. She wasn’t used to this much interaction. Before this mess, she was tossed to the side. Kept in a room that only had a bed and a toilet, plus some books. Her captors barely ever spoke to her. But Jacob’s behavior where he was constantly on her case had her on edge. Made her twitchy. Especially when he mentioned a chair and cages like they were some Olympic event.

Still, pain flaring over her body or not, she moved to get ready. The shower she took was brief. Maybe five minutes. Where she came from, the showers were timed, some bullshit about preserving water. When she stepped out she noticed a change of clothes on the toilet lid, Jacob must’ve entered without her knowledge.

Her fingers traced over what he chose for her. It was cheap shit, that much was obvious. The only things that really impressed her were the gloves and boots. They looked like they were ready to take a beating, prepared to get mangled and dirty if need be and still hold together.

Another two minutes and she was fully dressed and wrestling with her hair in front of the foggy mirror. Maybe Jacob was right. It was too long, she knew from experience how someone could grab it when it billowed out behind her as she ran. And with Jacob’s whole military/army business she figured that she didn’t want such a disadvantage.

Inside the cabinets, she found a knife. Around the tip of the knife, she saw tiny bits of hair. Ginger colored hair. The knife was serrated so it could be easy to shave with it, but cutting out thick hair wouldn’t be simple. Not that she could afford to go out and ask for a pair of scissors. She didn’t know Jacob all that well and thought he might just laugh in her face and tell her to fuck off.

Scissors it was then.

The cuts she made had her looking like a baby duck. She cut it above her ears. It was jagged work. Sloppy too. As she ran her fingers through it and tugged, she realized how difficult it was for others to grab her. It’d have to do for now.